The story of An American Pickle
An American Pickle tells the oddly charming tale of Herschel Greenbaum, an Eastern European Jewish laborer who immigrates to America in 1919 seeking a better life. Working in a pickle factory in Brooklyn, Herschel falls into a massive vat of brine and, through the film's delightful suspension of disbelief, becomes perfectly preserved. When he emerges in present-day Brooklyn exactly one hundred years later, he's physically unchanged but spiritually adrift—a man from the Jazz Age suddenly confronted with smartphones, dating apps, and a world he barely recognizes. His only family connection is his great-great-grandson Ben, a struggling app developer who becomes Herschel's reluctant guide to the modern world. What unfolds is a collision between old-world values and contemporary hustle culture, filtered through Seth Rogen's particular brand of bewildered charm.
Behind the making of An American Pickle
An American Pickle marks Brandon Trost's solo directorial debut, and the film was written by Simon Rich, adapting his own 2013 short story "Sell Out." The project arrived as HBO Max's first original film, a significant vote of confidence in both the streaming service's emerging slate and Trost's vision. Seth Rogen carries the entire film as Herschel, while Sarah Snook (known for her sharp work in Succession) plays a supporting role in the ensemble that includes Molly Evensen, Eliot Glazer, Kalen Allen, Kevin O'Rourke, and Sean Whalen. The film earned a PG-13 rating despite its premise involving a man literally marinating in pickle juice for a century—a testament to Rich's relatively family-friendly approach to the material. On the critical scorecard, An American Pickle landed a Metascore of 58 and a 73% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, suggesting a film that critics found charming if uneven. The IMDb rating sits at 5.7 out of 10 from over 27,000 votes, indicating mixed audience reception. The film earned one award win and one nomination during its festival run, modest recognition for what was essentially a high-concept comedy gamble.
What makes An American Pickle stand out
What's striking about An American Pickle is how earnestly it commits to its ridiculous premise. Rogen, often cast as the wisecracking sidekick, anchors the film with genuine pathos—there's real melancholy beneath Herschel's confusion, a man who's lost everyone he knew and everything he understood about the world. The humor doesn't come from mocking his confusion; it comes from watching him try to apply 1920s logic to 2020s absurdity. When he discovers the internet, he doesn't just gawk—he becomes convinced he can use it to rebuild his fortune and reclaim his family's honor. That earnestness, that stubborn immigrant determination, is what gives the film its heart, even when the jokes themselves don't always land.
The tension between two competing tones—a sincere immigrant saga and a broad fish-out-of-water comedy—is what several reviewers identified as the film's central struggle. You're watching two movies at once, and they don't always want the same things from the audience. One reviewer noted that "An American Pickle feels like a film with so much potential, but potential that is never fully embraced," and that's fair; there's a version of this story that could've been genuinely poignant, and another that could've been hilarious. The actual film tries to be both and succeeds at being neither completely, though the attempt itself is admirable. Rogen's performance keeps it grounded. He doesn't wink at the camera or undercut the character's sincerity, which is exactly what the material needs to work at all.
How to stream An American Pickle online
An American Pickle is currently available on Netflix, making it easy to access for anyone with a subscription. Since the film premiered during the streaming wars' early stages, it's bounced around the licensing landscape, but Netflix is where you'll find it now. If you're using Movie OTT to track where movies are streaming, you can verify current availability across all platforms—the site's "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page will show you exactly which services have it right now, so you don't waste time searching. At 88 minutes, it's a quick watch, the kind of film you can fit into an evening without major time commitment.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is An American Pickle based on a true story?
No, it's a fictional comedy written by Simon Rich, adapted from his 2013 short story "Sell Out." While it draws on real immigrant experiences and the history of Jewish communities in Brooklyn, the pickle-vat preservation is pure fantasy.
Q: Who directed An American Pickle?
Brandon Trost directed the film in his solo directorial debut. Trost had previously worked as a cinematographer and director on other projects, but An American Pickle was his first feature film as sole director.
Q: What's the runtime of An American Pickle?
The film runs 88 minutes, making it a relatively lean comedy that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Q: Is An American Pickle appropriate for kids?
Yes—it's rated PG-13, so it's generally suitable for teens and up, though younger children might find some of the humor or themes confusing.
Q: Where was An American Pickle filmed?
While specific filming locations aren't extensively documented in major releases, the story takes place in Brooklyn, and the film was produced as an HBO Max original, suggesting a primarily New York-based production.
Final thoughts on An American Pickle
An American Pickle isn't a perfect film—the tone wobbles, the ending feels a bit rushed, and not every joke connects. But there's something genuinely likeable about it, something that sticks with you after the credits roll. Rogen's commitment to playing Herschel as a fully realized character rather than a punchline, combined with Rich's affection for the immigrant experience, creates a film that's more than the sum of its gimmicky premise. It's worth your time if you enjoy character-driven comedies that aren't afraid to be a little weird, or if you're curious about what HBO Max's first original film was betting on. Don't expect a masterpiece, but do expect to feel something—even if you're not entirely sure what.
